Using herd dogs to increase work efficacity

Description

« A paw hit, a charging cow… It doesn’t happen to me since I use dogs. Even while nursing cows ! »

Bruno Banon is a farmer and a former about « herd dogs ». So he isn’t very present on the farm. So his working time must be efficient and without risk.

With a fragmented plot set, animals have to change of paddock very frequently to have a good grass management. That normally demands to be several people with a trailer, to install fences… or to be alone with a 4×4 and a dog. The use of herd dog allows to move quickly the cattle and to increase work efficacity, for all of the GAEC du Petit Fer associates.

The dog allows to create a different relation of dominance with the cattle. Globaly, cows are stressless and more calm. The work security and comfort are so consolidated.

Reason for the innovation

  • Be able to graze small and distant plots
  • Increase work efficacity and comfort
  • Secure work

Farm description

Environment

  • Soils: Clay and limestone
  • Climate: Oceanic to continental trend
  • Altitude: 300m

Grassland management

  • Grazing: Yes
  • Grazing 7 months a year

Structure

  • Annual Work Unit: 3
  • Agricultural area : 206 ha UAA
    • Temporary grassland: 15 ha
    • Permanent grassland: 86 ha
    • Corn silage: 30 ha
  • Breeds: Prim’holstein and charolaises
  • Stocking rate : 1,58 LU / ha of forage area

Animal performance

  • Milk production per head: 9 000 L /year

Why it is working

Real will to work with dogs. It is a necessity to increase the work efficiency and the farm perform.

The farmer is vigilant to his behavior and to the dog and cattle behavior. It is important to have a coherence between the three.

A consolidated vigilance is done on the dogs training.

Additional information

Farming system

conventional farming

Domains of innovation

grazing management system

Main types of animal

beef cattle, dairy cattle

Country

France

Product type

Farmer portrait

Language

English, French

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